Early Cook Islands poll results suggest Democratic victory

Early results from a snap election in Cook Islands suggest a victory to the Democratic Party.

After preliminary counting of votes, the Democratic Party has won 14 seats compared to 10 for the Cook Islands Party in the 24-seat parliament.

But the margin of victory was less than 10 votes for four of the seats.

The counting of around 300 special votes could change some of the results.

Radio Australia's correspondent, Bruce Hill, said it was a significant victory in the usually finely balanced Cook Islands parliament.

The Democratic Party leader, Dr Tereapai Maoate, has retained his seat of Ngatangiia, despite earlier indications he might have been under threat.

Both the leader and deputy of the Opposition CIP have lost their seats.

Final results are due to be released on Monday, as all ballot boxes must be returned to the capital, Rarotonga, for checking, and some of the islands have no airstrips and are only served by boat.

The election was called two years early because the government lost power of the 25 seat parliament after a by-election in July.

Shifting alliances have made the political situation unstable and the leaders of both major parties have promised to ban party-hopping if they win the election.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA